Pressure apparatus



March so, 1943;

PRESSURE APPARATUS Filed March 25,1941' 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 f N .EKM We s i mm mm MW? Mm m0 mm wmwfi fiwflmw mm X N e \7 f 3 4 Mm hm Q T E I a R QM k. nu an 3 3 I n In w| I! I I n x I ll m w wwh. -u r N Y. W amkm a 3 a H l 1| llnfl l 3 lflnw hw ww mm a J- Bk Q m Ms N .w w w a, NIRN NQ twwmL a m V mm.

Patented Mar. 30, 1943 PRESSURE APPARATUS Elias Orshansky, Jr., University Heights, and

Benham Sackett Pond, Cleveland, Ohio, as-

- signors to The Acrotorque Company, Cleveland,

Ohio, a corporation of Connecticut Application March 25, 1941, Serial No. 385,056

6 Claims.

This invention relates to a structurally and functionally improved pressure apparatus and in its more specific aspects aims to provide a unit of this character, which may either be constructed to primarily function as a pump, or else may have its parts arranged so that it will be of particular utility when employed as a hydraulic motor.

While the present apparatus may be utilized in numerous different associations, it will be of a special value when employed in aircraft, in that, it will be relatively compact, of light weight and involve a positive and reliable action, such that entire dependence may be placed upon its functioning.

It is an object of the invention, to furnish an apparatus by means of which, under constant R. P. M., variable displacement or pressures may be achieved when the unit functions as a pump; this object being in addition to the objects of light weight, compact structure and reliability of operation as set forth in the preceding paragraph.

A further object of the invention is that of designing a mechanism, in which the pistons may have a variable stroke; the control of such pistons being achieved in a novel and desirable manner.

An additional'object is that of providing a regulating mechanism which may form a part of the unit. and which according to the operatingconditionsencountered, the actuation of the control, as set forth in the preceding paragraph, may.

. tively few parts, each individually simple and rugged in construction: these parts operating over long periods of time with freedom from all difficulties.

With these and other objects in mind. reference is had to the attached sheets of drawings illustrating one practical embodiment of the in vention, and in which:

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken along the lines 3-3 and in the direction of the arrows as indicated in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a similar view taken along varying planes, however, but generally as indicated by the line 4-4 and adjacent arrows; and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary and sectional plan taken along the lines 5--5 and in the direction of the arrows as also indicated in Fig. 2.

As afore brought out, the present teachings may be incorporated in a pump or hydraulic motor. As shown and as primarily described, it

is presented in the former association. Also, the

pump structure as herein traversed is intended to develop relatively high pressures (for example, up to 3,000 lbs. to the square inch). At this time, it will be appreciated that the teachings of the present invention might be employed in connection with pumps which are to develop entirely difierent pressures and that this might readily be achieved with suitable modification of certain of the parts. Moreover, it is intended that in the example by bolt I3--a guide block it. A housing section [5 may in turn be mounted upon the block it.

Shaft Ill extends into a tubular shaft 16 and a tight fit may be provided between these parts, so that they rotate as a unit. Additionally, they may be prevented from moving with respect to each other by means of a nut l8 mounted on the drive shaft and by a pin H which extends through both shafts. At this time, it will be observed that shaft I 6 is also suitably supported by antifriction bearings I9 and 20 and in fact, that bear- Fig. 1 is an end view of the main portion of the apparatus but with certain of the parts illustrated in section; this view being taken along the lines l-l and in the direction of the arrows as indicated in Fig. 2;,

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the apparatus;

ing l9 may support shaft I0 through the interposed nut element I8.

A-swashplate 2| is mounted on pin I! and as especially shown'in Fig. 5, spacing elements 22 may be interposed between plate 2| and the side faces of shaft l6. At the same time, it will be observed that the pin I] is retained in position by means of securing elements 23 which engaged its end portions to effect this result. Thus, it is apparent that as shafts I0 and 16 are rotated the swashplate 2| will be correspondingly moved. Also this plate may be freely oscillated with respect to the axes of the shafts and incident to the pivot provided by pin H.

A stop member 24 may be affixed to shaft l6 and extend outwardly, so that one limit of movement of the plate 2| will be to a position such, that it occupies a plane precisely perpendicular to the axes of the shafts i and I6. As illustrated, this stop member may be adjustable so that after assembly, the parts may be brought to exactly the desired positions and their further movement arrested so that this position -may never be exceeded. The plate 2| may moreover mount, or have formed integrally with it arcuate rack portion 25. These are engaged by pinions 26 forming a part of a shaft 21 which is rotatably supported by and extends through shafts I0 and I6. As

especially illustrated in Fig. 5, a layer of bearing material 28 may encircle shaft 2'1.

It is thus obvious, that if shaft 21 is rotated, plate 2| will be rocked while, if this shaft is retained against movement, the plate will be held in a fixed position of angularity with reference to the driving shaft. Now, to control the movement of shaft 21, it will be observed that in addition to,

rod 3| may be provided with a flattened portion 32 which will have a configuration corresponding to that of this bore, so that there will be no danger of rotation occurring on the part of this rod with respect to shaft l0.

It is obvious that with the foregoing construction, a reciprocation of rod 3| will result in a rotation of pinion 29 and pinions '26. The latter meshing with the arcuate racks 25 willas afore brought out-cause oscillation of the swashplate. The control of rod 3| may be effected in a number of different manners. However, the movement of this element, will in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, preferably be caused in a manner hereinafter more particularly described.

Returning to a consideration of Fig. 2, it will be noted that on the opposite side of the swashplate from the guide block l4, a cylinder and valve block 33 is provided. It is obvious that this block might be formed in any desirable manner of sections. It supports a housing 34 complementary to housing l5. A guide plate 35 is interposed between these housing sections and serves to centralize the same. Moreover, securing bolts 36 may be employed to retain the parts in assembledcondition.

The guide block 14 is formed with a series of bores 31 and block 33 is likewise formed with a series of blind drilled recesses 38 which provide cylinders. As shown, the cylinders correspond in number to the number of bores which are provided and complementary bores and cylinders are furnished with their axes in alignment.

--The swashplate 2| may, by means of bearing members 33, engage ball studs '40. One of the.

latter is mounted by each of connecting rods 41. These connecting rods are bowed or arched to.

extend around the periphery of the swashplate and may ride in grooves or slots 42 which interrupt the guide plate 35. Consequently, the connecting rod in reciprocating will have its motion guided so that it will not tend to swing. To one end of each connecting rod, a piston 43 is secured.

To the opposite end of the same, a guide extension 44 is attached. These extensions and pistons, may of course, each be integral with the connecting rod. In any event, however, the guide portion 44 will ride within a recess 31 while the piston 43 will ride within a-cylinder 38.

Assuming the swashplate to be angularly disposed, as illustrated in Fig. 2, itis apparent that as the shaft assembly Ill-l 6 is rotated, the piston will be caused to reciprocate. In such reciprocation, a firm control of the parts will at all times be assured incident to the guide ring 35 or its equivalent structure as well as the guide portion 44, operating within the bore 31. As afore brought out, by shifting the rod 3|, the angularity of the swashplate may be varied to increase or decrease the stroke of the parts. However, it is preferred that at no time shall such angularity exceed zero; this being assured by the stop element 24.

Now, in order to control the flow of fluid to and from the cylinders, a series of in-take controlling and outflow controlling valves are employed. A pair of these valves is furnished for each of the cylinders. indicated by the .numeral 45 and one of the low pressure valves is indicated by the numeral 46. Each of these valves, includes a reduced edge portion cooperating with an adjacent seat portion in a manner such, that a line seal is preferably provided. Springs 41 normally urge these valves into seated condition. Adjacent their outer ends, they are guided or supported by means of sleeve elements 48. Eccentrics 49, either form a part of shaft IE or are fixedly mounted thereon in line with the two series of valves. Tappets 50 are interposed between the valve stems 5| and the eccentrics 49. By varying these tappets or else by substituting tappets of different thicknesses, the position of the valves may be adjusted.

Beyond the block or block assembly 33, a manifold element 52 is provided. This may be secured in position by the bolts 36. A low pressure manifold 53 forms a part of the member or unit 52 and a high pressure manifold 54 likewise forms a part of this unit. A manifold sealing plate 55 may be interposed between unit 54 and block assembly 33; this plate being drilled to provide passages suitable for the flow of liquid. Bosses 55' are furnished which communicate with the high and low pressure manifolds and which may be coupled to any suitable supply and service lines (not shown). Gasket material may, of course,

be employed throughout the entire assembly as indicated in the drawings. Also,suitable gasket materialas indicated at 56 may be positioned within the bevelled cavities which are preferably of triangular cross-section and which are conveniently furnished adjacent the high pressure manifold 54. In this manner all probability of leakage from this manifold is prevented.

Turning to Fig. 4, it will be observed that the high pressure valve, there illustrated, controls the flow of fluid through a passage 51 which is'disposed to one sid of the bore within which the valve is mounted. This passage is connected to the high pressure manifold. It follows that with the parts constructed in the manner illustrated,

and if'the piston 43 is performing a working stroke, the force of the fluid which tends to lift One of the high pressure valves is.

equalized, the springs 41 will normally maintain them in seated position.

Also, during the pressure stroke, it will be observed that fluid under pressure may flow through a passage 58 and act on the upperface of the low pressure valve 46. Consequently, to the sealing effect exercised by the springs 41, actin upon these valves, there is added the force of the fluid under high pressure. Therefore, there will be no danger of these valves permitting any flow of liquid into the low pressure or in-take manifold 53 on the working stroke of the pis-- ton 43. I

Considering this same particular assembly and with the piston 43 performing a suction stroke, it will be seen that with the raising of valve 46, fluid is free to flow from the manifold 53, through the'passage to the valve, past the latter and through passage 58 to the cylinder 38. At the same time, the high pressure valve 45 will be maintained in seated condition not alone by the spring 41, associated with such valve but also, incident to the action of the fluid under pressure which extends from the high pressure manifold 54, through passage 51 and is thus free to act on the upper face of valve 45.

Now, referring to the structure whereby the control rod 3| may be automatically shifted, it will be seen referring to Fig. 2, that the end of this rod terminates in an enlarged portion 59 upon which an anti-friction bearing of the thrust type '60 may be mounted. This bearing supports a follower 6| ,to which a piston extension 62 may be secured and which-in fact-may be integral with such follower. The extension 62 is concentrically disposed with respect to and spaced from The piston portion of the same may take numerous different forms but having in would be greater than the fluid acting upon the control piston surface 83. Accordingly, the control rod 6| would shift and the swashplate would again begin to assume an angle such, that the piston strokes would cause sufficient displacement to maintain the pressure substantially static. If, of course, there is a tendency of the pressure to continue to drop, the springs will shift the follower 6| increasingly to the left as viewed in Fig. 2 until the swashplate finally assumes its maximum angle of inclination. Under these cirmind, the high pressures which ar being dealt with, it is preferred that the same include merely an inclined and relatively reduced surfac 63.

A channel '64 extends from the high pressuremanifold to the cylinder in which the surface 63 rides. As'will be seen the ends of this space are divided by packing assemblies which are maintained in position by a spacing element 63 which may be perforated for the passag of the fluid. Springs 65 are interposed between the follower 6| and the end of the housing 66 which encloses this follower. It is obvious with the foregoing structure, that as the pressure in mamthe tubularshaft l6 and extend between the face of the same and the outer pinion element 26 to thus retain the latter in proper position.

With the plate 2| at a decreasing angl with respect to the plane of inclination which it normally occupies, it is obvious that the displace-' ment of the pump'is decreased. If the pressures continue to rise, the pump stroke and displacenient would attain a zero value (with the swashplate 2| in contact with stop 24) and would remain at such value until such time as the pressure. in-the system drops. Under these circumstances, the springs 65 would again function in cumstances, a major displacement would occur. It is, of course, obvious that if an installation required a fixed stroke or in other words, a constant displacement at any given and predetermined R. P. M., a fixed-angle swashplate could be utilized. Conversely if no automatic control were desired, it is obvious that the control rod 3| might be manually adjusted.

It is apparent that the foregoing apparatus might also be employed as a motor by simply connecting the high pressure manifold as heretofore described with a source of high pressure fluid. Under these circumstances, and according to the particular arrangement of the parts, it is obvious that either a variable speed control or an automatic constant speed control would be incorporated in the motor. i

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that among others, the several objects of the inven-- tion as specifically aforenoted are achieved. Obviously numerous changes in construction and re-arrangement of the parts might be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the claims.

I claim:

1. A pressure apparatus including in combination, a body provided witha plurality of cylinders, a shaft rotatable with respect to said and seat members, means forming a part of the.

same whereby a line seal is provided, an eccen tric secured to said shaft and cooperating with said valves to shift the same as said shaft rotates with respect to said body, means responsive to the fluid pressures within said cylinders for varying the amount of travel of said pistons and means tending normally to cause said pistons to have a maximum path of travel whereby a max- I imum amount of fluid will traverse said cylinview of the fact that the force exerted by them ders.

2. A pressure apparatus including in combination, means providing a plurality of cylinder bores, pistons operable within said bores, a shaft rotatable with respect to said cylinders, a second shaft telescoped over said first shaft, a swashplate encircling said shaft, a pin mounting said plate and extending through said shafts for coupling the same against movement with respect to each other, a pinion rotatably mounted by said shaft, rack members meshing with the teeth of said pinion and secured to said plate and arack-bar extending into the interior of said shaft and meshing with said pinion for rotating the same.

3. A pressure apparatus including in combination, means providing a plurality of cylinder bores, pistons operable within said bores, a shaft rotatable with respect to said cylinders, a second shaft telescoped over said first shaft, 8. swashplate encircling said shaft, a. pin mounting said 4- plate and extending through said shafts for coupling the same against movement with respect to each other, a pinion rotatably mounted by said shaft, rack members meshing with the teeth of connecting said piston with said plate to vary the, angularity of the latter in response to the force exerted by the former and-spring means for normally maintaining said piston in a fully retracted position and said'swashplate in a position of predetermined angularity with respect to said shaft.

5. A pressure apparatus including in combination a plurality of cylinders, a shaft rotatable with respect to said cylinders, pistons recipro cable within said cylinders and coupled to said shaft, each of said cylinders being formed with ,and connected to valve bores, valve assemblies 'disposediwithin said bores and governing the flow of fluid through the same, valve operating means secured to and movable with said shaft, means connecting said last named means with said assemblies whereby, as said shaft rotates with recylinders.

spect to said cylinders, said assemblies will be operated, means responsive to the fluid pressure within said cylinders or automatically varying the amount of travel of said pistons within said cylinders, and means tending normally to cause said pistons to have a maximum path of travel whereby a maximum amount of fluid will traverse said cylinders.

6. A pressure apparatus including in combination a body provided with a plurality of cylinders, a shaft rotatable with respect to said body,

pistons reciprocable within said cylinders, means coupling said pistons with said shaft, whereby said pistons will move in response-to rotation of the latter, means forming apart of said coupling means and whereby the path'of travel of said pistons may be varied, said bodybeing formed with openings through which fluid may-flow to and from said cylinders, valve means for controlling the flow of fluid through said openings,

means. secured to said shaft and connected to said valve means to shift the same as said shaft rotates with respect-to said body, means responsive to the fluid pressures within said cylinders and connected to the means which couples said pistons with said shaft for automatically varying the amount of travel of said pistons within said cylinders, and means tending normally to cause said pressure responsive means to assume a predetermined position such that said pistons will have a predetermined zone of travel and a predetermined amount of fiuid willj traverse said ELIAS ORSHANVSKY, JR. BEN'HAM SACKE'I'I POND. 

